Aftermarket Auto-tranny Floor Shifter; what model do you like?

[Bob Barry]

I'm working up the idea of a console for my Cherokee once I put in the shifter for the NP205 and handbrakes, and was considering converting to a floor shifter. Anyone have any personal recommendations for or against any of the currently-available aftermarket floor shifters? I'd like something with an illuminated gear indicator, as well as ease of shifting between drive and reverse off-road.

[tuck]

I have heard of people using shifters from cavaliers... you might look into that..

i have a b&m megashifter, and it looks pretty good, and is fun to ratchet shift, but I think it will wear out before too long, and also, it has reverse lockout which makes forward to reverse a little bit difficult. So far it hasn't been a big problem, but I don't do a lot of forward to reverse in my Jeep.. :D

[LRRH]

Good topic!! I had looked into reverse manual valve body kits for the TH400 but it seemed it would be a huge PITA on the trail. Has anyone ever use one here on the board???

[La Wagoneer]

T have a Hurst Pro-Matic 2. Bought it at Auto Zone for $119.00. Instalation and adjustment were easy. Comes with detailed instructions and a great customer service department. I know because even though the shifter I bought was unopened it was missing a small part. I called Hurst and they Express mailed me the part, got it in 3 days. It's a full ratchet shifter, easy to use reverse lockout. To go into reverse you just push through netural/lift the handle/pusf into reverse. After doing it a couple of times it become automatic. Hurst shifters are built very well and I have no longevity concerns with it. I have had B&M shifters i9n the past in Street/strip and bracket racers with no problems with durability but have no direct experience with the Mega shifter Tuck but I don't think you could wear it out.

[Lindel]

O'Reilly's has the B&M StarShifter for $119, and the B&M Z-Gate is a gated shifter that can only be used on standard valve bodies. I haven't broken a B&M shifter yet, and have been very happy with their equipment.

I'd stay away from a full manual valve body, unless you plan on racing. Most manual valve bodies are built for race applications, not towing or 4 wheeling.

[scotty]

ive had the hurst promatic,and a B&M Z gate. the hurst was fine,i had it inmy 62 falcon,and you do get used the funky reverse-thing,and it was never a prollem for street driving. whenever you take it somewhere,tho, unless guy driving it has a hurst shifter in his own car,he wont be able to figure it out,and youll likely have to show/explain it to him ;)

i think i like the feel of the gated Z gate alittle better than the ratchet hurst shifter,and it seems that the z gate is prolly gonna be alittle easier to go quicky from R to D.plus you can lift the catch and slam it all the way down to 1st,cant do that with the hurst,you have to ratchet

of course,im sure hurst makes some gated shifters,and both are good quality,i never had any prollem with either.

[Josh D]

I ran a B&M Z-Gate in a '66 El Camino with a 454 and TH350 with good results. Its not the best looking shifter (doesn't have the 4spd look), but its solid and I like the action and simplicity of it. Its also one of the less expensive auto shifters.

[91GWag]

I used a B&M Quicksilver shifter in a 78 Trans-AM I had about 15 years ago. Nice firm shifts and a real solid feeling. Not sure if they make that model anymore. Good luck. Sounds like a fun project!